Casillas: Xavi shouldn't badmouth me

The Spain shot-stopper is displeased with passive criticism from his international team-mate in relation to his own remarks about giving Sergio Busquets “a slap”

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has told Xavi that the Barcelona midfielder should speak to him privately if he has an issue with his criticism of Sergio Busquets.

The Blancos captain said he would give Busquets “a slap” after the Catalans defensive midfielder was pictured planting his boot on Pepe’s head in March’s Clasico, which Barca won 4-3.

Xavi responded by saying that “Busquets never stomped on Pepe; you can see in all the images that there’s nothing to it” and criticised Madrid’s Spain contingent for being “very unfair” to their international team-mate.

This has just served to irritate Casillas further, however, and he has denounced his colleague’s comments, urging Xavi to stop airing his issues in public.

“If Xavi has a problem with me, he has to talk about it calmly to me and not give out free publicity to fill TV shows,” he sniped after Real Madrid qualified for the Champions League semi-finals despite losing 2-0 at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

“We don’t need to give it any more thought. Let’s put it to one side, as it’s boring and tiresome.”

Real Madrid face Barcelona once again on April 16 in the Copa del Rey final.